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Communications Director Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

The Communications Manager is a versatile corporate generalist responsible for the organizational ... Fluency in Korean to facilitate direct collaboration with key stakeholders in Korea considered a ...

Communications Manager

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $183K/yr

The Communications Manager is a versatile corporate generalist responsible for the organizational ... Fluency in Korean to facilitate direct collaboration with key stakeholders in Korea considered a ...

Showing results 21-40

Communications Director information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$36.5K

$106.7K

$177.4K

How much do communications director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for communications director in Riverside, CA is $106,681.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,200.00 and $131,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Communications Director vs Public Relations Manager?

AspectCommunications DirectorPublic Relations Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field; often advanced degrees preferredBachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or related field
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in organizations, overseeing internal and external messagingManaging media relations, press releases, and public image campaigns
Employer & Industry UsageCorporations, nonprofits, government agenciesPublic relations firms, corporate communications departments
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in communicationFocus on media relations and public image management

The Communications Director typically holds a strategic leadership role, overseeing all communication efforts within an organization, including internal and external messaging. In contrast, a Public Relations Manager primarily focuses on managing media relations and public image campaigns. While both roles require strong communication skills and relevant credentials, the Communications Director has broader responsibilities and a higher level of strategic oversight.

What does a communications director do?

A Communications Director oversees an organization's internal and external communication strategies to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation. They manage public relations, media inquiries, and often supervise a team responsible for content creation, social media, and crisis communication. Their role is crucial in shaping how the public perceives the organization and in managing its reputation. Communications Directors typically collaborate with executive leadership to align messaging with organizational goals and may also handle speechwriting, press releases, and stakeholder engagement.

Is a communications director a stressful job?

A communications director often faces high-pressure situations, tight deadlines, and the need to manage multiple stakeholders, which can contribute to stress. The role requires strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to handle crises, making it potentially demanding but also rewarding for those with resilience and organizational skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a communications director?

To thrive as a Communications Director, you need expertise in strategic communication, media relations, and brand management, often supported by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with digital marketing platforms, content management systems, and analytics tools is typically required. Outstanding written and verbal communication, leadership, and crisis management abilities help professionals excel in this role. These skills are vital for shaping public perception, ensuring consistent messaging, and effectively promoting organizational goals.

What are the most common challenges faced by a communications director in managing both internal and external messaging?

A Communications Director often faces the challenge of maintaining consistent messaging across various channels while adapting content to suit different audiences. Balancing the needs of internal stakeholders, such as executives and employees, with the expectations of external audiences, including media and the public, requires strong coordination and adaptability. Additionally, responding quickly and effectively during a crisis or unexpected event is a key responsibility, demanding preparedness and excellent judgment. Effective collaboration with marketing, public relations, and leadership teams is essential to ensure alignment and achieve organizational goals.
More about Communications Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Communications jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Communications jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Communications Director jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Communications Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Communications Director job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,681 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Director, Public Relations & Communications

Ware Malcomb

Irvine, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Are you ready to join a growth-oriented team where creativity meets innovation? At Ware Malcomb, we are a dynamic and forward-thinking design firm committed to pushing the boundaries. Our team-oriented, collaborative approach ensures that every project is a blend of visionary design, seamless project delivery, and we are actively engaged with both the community and the industry. Discover our vibrant culture to get an inside look into life at Ware Malcomb and the programs we offer. https://waremalcomb.com/life-at-ware-malcomb/
We're seeking a Director, Public Relations & Communications to lead our brand reputation, strengthen our market presence and drive integrated communications that support business strategy and growth. This role is responsible for telling the story of our projects, people, innovation and community impact across industry media, local press and digital channels, while serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership and leading a high-performing communications team.
Your Role
  • Develop and execute integrated PR and communications plans aligned with firmwide strategy, brand positioning and business objectives.
  • Oversee external communications, including media relations, press strategy, social media, email marketing, awards and speaking opportunities.
  • Lead PR campaigns and initiatives tied to strategic priorities; track editorial calendars and identify proactive visibility opportunities.
  • Expand market visibility by identifying and cultivating new media relationships, sponsorships, speaking platforms and thought leadership channels that extend the firm's reach across key markets and audiences.
  • Lead brand reputation management by establishing governance for firmwide messaging, brand standards and audience positioning to ensure consistency, differentiation and resonance across all channels and stakeholders.
  • Lead the firm's crisis communications framework by developing protocols, playbooks and response materials; overseeing escalation and approval processes; and training spokespeople to ensure timely, confident and effective messaging under pressure.
  • Serve as executive communications counsel as a trusted strategic advisor to senior and executive leadership on high-visibility, complex or sensitive initiatives, including messaging strategy, positioning and stakeholder communication.
  • Provide strategic oversight of agencies and external partners (PR firms, writers, photographers, freelancers), including scope development, budgets, performance measurement and success criteria.
  • Oversee paid media and budget planning, including strategy development, vendor management and ROI evaluation for paid placements, sponsored content and media amplification efforts.
  • Support firmwide storytelling through press materials, thought leadership content, awards submissions and digital channels.
  • Prepare spokespeople for interviews and media engagement; support leadership with messaging, talking points, Q&A and presentations.
  • Collaborate closely with Visual Brand, Marketing Leadership and cross-functional partners on website strategy, SEO alignment, planning and budgeting.
  • Establish KPI frameworks, benchmarking performance and producing regular reporting that translates communications data into actionable insights and continuous optimization.
  • Contribute hands-on execution when needed to ensure quality, consistency and deadlines are met.

Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities
  • Lead annual communications planning, KPI frameworks, playbooks, budgeting and team development.
  • Set governance for messaging, approvals and escalation. Steward reputation management across regions and markets.
  • Represent PR & Communications in leadership forums and cross-firm initiatives.
  • Optimize the operating model (processes, tools and partner ecosystem) to enable scale, consistency, and measurable impact.
  • Lead, mentor and develop PR & Communications team members, fostering growth, accountability and performance.
  • Champion long-term brand growth through a multi-year communications roadmap aligned with business priorities and supported by strong capabilities and partnerships.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field (or equivalent experience).
  • 10-15+ years of experience in public relations and communications, including strategic leadership, crisis management and team leadership.
  • Demonstrated experience leading firmwide public relations and communications programs.
  • Strong media relations background with a track record of securing high-impact coverage.
  • Experience partnering with senior and executive leaders and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proven ability to manage high-visibility communications initiatives and work effectively with agencies and vendors.
  • Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into clear, engaging narratives.
  • Strong project management skills, including prioritization across competing deadlines.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote).
  • Experience in Architecture/Engineering, Construction, Real Estate, or professional services strongly preferred.

Skills
  • Strong leadership, collaboration and mentorship capabilities
  • Excellent communication, judgment and stakeholder-management skills
  • Issues management, crisis communications readiness and brand reputation stewardship
  • Paid media strategy and budget management
  • Performance measurement, KPI development and data-driven decision-making
  • High attention to detail, discretion and accountability
  • Positive, proactive and highly collaborative working style
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
  • Operational rigor across workflows, approvals, calendars and reporting

$100,000 - $130,000 a year
The compensation range is $100k-$130k, plus benefits. Read more about Life at Ware Malcomb.
The final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, licensing, project specialty/complexity and work location. We may exceed the posted compensation range for candidates who surpass the posted requirements. At Ware Malcomb, certain roles are bonus eligible.
This is a full-time, long-term position.
Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is a dynamic, forward-thinking commercial real estate design firm providing professional architecture, interior design, civil engineering, branding, building measurement, structural engineering and MEP engineering services to clients throughout the world. With office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, the firm specializes in the design of office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, multifamily, retail, hospitality and public/institutional projects.
The firm is also ranked among the top 10 Architecture/Engineering firms in Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms and the Top 30 Interior Design Firms in Interior Design magazine's Top 100 Giants. For more information, visit waremalcomb.com.